Heavy Phlegm

echinacea Q: I suffer terribly with heavy phlegm in my chest when I get a cold. Can I help this at all?

A: Coughs and colds are usually self-limiting and require little, if any, treatment. Remedies should be considered if a cold persists for longer than three days or if you are feeling unwell.

A cough that sounds catarrhal is usually associated with the production of too much mucus.

Avoid cow’s products and refined sugar because these encourage mucus production.

Drink plenty of fluids as this helps keep mucus from becoming too thick and tenacious.

A few drops of aniseed, cinnamon, hyssop or eucalyptus can be used as inhalation.

Fresh ginger or thyme can be chopped and used as inhalation also.

The herbs Hydrastis, Sambucus Nigra, Thyme, Echinacea and Propolis are all excellent supports and taken together with Vitamin C are very effective.

For stubborn congestion N-acetylcystein is very helpful to clear.

Homeopathic remedies taken in a 30C three times daily: Ant Tart for difficult ecpectoration, Pulsatilla for yellow mucus with thirstlessness, Nat Mur for yellow discharges that are worse from damp weather.

For further information contact ICIM Medics on (045) 844819 or at www.icim.ie